What to do with three days in Edinburgh

Dave and I have been so lucky to go to Scotland not only once, but twice! It’s our favorite place. So this post is a mix of both of our trips and our favorite parts and what you can do with three days in Edinburgh. We went in 2014 in March and then again in 2017 in August. You can tell the difference in what we’re wearing and how big the crowds are. There is a big difference! This list includes a lot of walking and site seeing, so be ready for that!

Go to the Edinburgh Castle

There is so much history at the Edinburgh Castle. It’s beautiful and huge. We loved the museum and every room and building we went into. We went on our first night in Scotland and it was an awesome introduction to the country. Going later in the day also helped us so we didn’t fight any crowds.

Walk the Royal Mile

If you walk straight from the Edinburgh Castle down the road, you’re on the Royal Mile! If you walk all the way down you’ll hit Holyrood Palace, which is where the queen stays now. We loved the cobblestones and walking into all the different shops. We also loved the street performers and the old dirtiness you know the city has held for centuries.

Walk around campus

Right in the middle of Old Town is the University of Edinburgh! I loved walking through the campus. At first, I didn’t even know we were at a school! But it’s gorgeous. And it’s right by the castle and the royal mile so it’s easy to add to your list. Stop at a coffee shop and get a drink and hang out, and enjoy the architecture!

Stop by The Elephant House

If you’re a Harry Potter fan, you’ll want to stop by The Elephant House! JK Rowling wrote a lot of her first book right here in this cafe. It was a nice walk to find the place and you can really feel the magic there ;)

Visit Princes Street Gardens

The Scott Monument is definitely worth a visit! It’s huge and gorgeous. The gardens are so peaceful to walk around. This was my favorite part of the morning! It was a little cool but the fresh air in the middle of the big city made me so happy.

See the Military Tattoo

If you’re lucky enough to be in Scotland in August, make sure to see the Military Tattoo! This was one of the highlights of our whole trip to Scotland. It’s a huge spectacle showcasing military throughout the world through music and dance! We loved every minute of the Tattoo.

Take in the sights

Make sure to walk around the city and visit different areas. There are a lot of neighborhoods in Edinburgh, find a good place to eat in different neighborhoods to experience them if you don’t have plans to see it by itself.

To see all my posts from Scotland, find them here!

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